Apple Inc. pulled a number of Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP, apps, including Microsoft Corp.'s Skype, from its App Store in China, The New York Times reported Nov. 21, citing a confirmation by a company spokeswoman.

In a statement, the Apple representative said the apps were removed after the Ministry of Public Security notified that they were not complying with local law. The spokeswoman said the apps remain available in other markets.

According to the report, Chinese users started complaining about not being able to pay for Skype's services via Apple. The users reportedly said the disruptions started in late October.